Nation

Secessionist Threats: You Can’t Intimidate Buhari, FG Affirms

Published

5 years ago

April 21, 2021

The Presidency, yesterday, reacted to the growing wave of secessionist agitations in some parts of the country, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be intimidated or bullied into giving in to the threats of such agitators.

Describing them as mercantile agents who are only out for pecuniary gains, the Presidency said Buhari would not open the vaults to share free money with anyone.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated the government’s position, yesterday in Abuja, while giving a scorecard of the Buhari administration at an event organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professional Forum which held at the national secretariat of the party.

He also dismissed calls for the convocation of a national conference, saying with an elected parliament in place, having such a conference is a misnomer.

Shehu added the Boko Haram terrorists are currently fighting for survival as the Federal Government has cut their supply chain.

“On the unity of this country and the calls for secession and the insinuation that the Presidency is not talking, the Presidency has been talking. And our position is clearly that this country is one, is united, and by the grace of God will continue to be united.

“Look, one thing with this president and the national secretary of the party has said a bit of that, you cannot intimidate Buhari. You cannot bully him. A lot of these people who are calling for secession are the problem of this country and I am happy that reasonable opinion, reasonable voices are now rising. Is it not only, yesterday, we were reading Afenifere, the most credible faction of Afenifere, saying they were not for secession?

“The Ohanaze Ndigbo has said this over and over again. So, this thing about secession is, they had used it in the past. You create secession and break up Nigeria and then you intimidate the sitting leader and then he opens the vaults and he brings money to settle people. President Buhari will pay no one. He is not going to pay and now it is clear that having ignored all of that, reasonable opinions are coming from those states and from those regions.

“Now, the thing about the South-East is part of the earlier conversation we just had now. Criminals are fighting to gain the upper hand but I tell you that no criminal or terrorist is bigger than this country. None of them is mightier than our armed forces. This structure has been there. They were certificated and praised for World War 1, World War 11, they stabilize the entire West Africa region. Without Nigeria, would there be Liberia in its present form, would there be Sierra Leone in its present form, even Gambia? So, just give it time and support and pray, we will win against these forces.

“The governors in the South-West, we have all heard them, they have denounced all of these things. So, it is a sham, Nigerians want to be one, they want to continue. Yes, there are problems and we are hoping that as people united and loving of one another, we will come together and solve our problems and that leads me to the next question, whether there should be national conference?

“What national conference do more than a parliament? Anyone who is a democrat at heart, in practice in their beliefs they should believe in the tripartite structure of government. Governments that are democratic, there must be a parliament, the executive arm of the government and the judiciary, each one being independent and cooperating with the other. We have an elected parliament, which mandate is to be the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.

“Look, a lot of these people who are crying for this secession, are unelectable. If you think you are electable, go around for a parliamentary seat whether House of Representatives or Senate and come and table an Amendment to the Constitution. The process is ongoing as we speak now under the Deputy Senate President. They are calling for memoranda, why can’t you present what you want?

“So, the issue is that people who are not democrats want a parallel parliament to be set up and this Constitution does not recognize two parliaments in this country. We have one parliament that is sovereign; which is the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people. If your member representing you has failed to present this request that you want whether it is a change of the structure at the state, local government or national level pull him out four years after, don’t vote for him. Put another representative who will do what you want. This is how democracy works, periodic elections”, he stated.

He also described President Buhari’s onslaught against corruption and other social vices as total and unsparing, saying not even his family members who run afoul of the law would be spared.

The National Secretary of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, said President Buhari will never shy away from the problems of the country.

“The President is a listening man that many of the things you complain about, he already knows them. Once you bring anything or those issues before him, he will take it with commitment. Another thing we have achieved recently is the issue of the pump price of petroleum. The party said no to it even though they had discussed it. It doesn’t matter the circumstances. The party said the time was not ripe. That is the position of the party. And they listened. We have tabled the matter.

“There has been a government like this in the history of the nation. And I am not playing politics. Show me any government that has done much than President Buhari that has a direct link with the masses”.

The Chairman of the forum is Hon. Akeem Akintayo, in his opening remarks, said professionals in the party will continue to contribute their quota to national development whether they are in government or outside the government.

He asked the party leadership to look inwards when making appointments, saying there are very many technocrats within the party.

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.

The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.

According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors

‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”

It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees

“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”

The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said

It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development

Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.

Nation

NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.

The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt

Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.

He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.

“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.

“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.

Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.

Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.

“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.

The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.

He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.

John Bibor

Nation

Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.

The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.

Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.

Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.

A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.

The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.

A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.

Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.

The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.

The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.